What happened: Two men are facing felony charges after separate livestreamed chld-predator “sting” operations in Delray Beach, putting a spotlight on a growing form of online content that can provide information to police — but can also carry consequences when accusations are made before an investigation is complete.
Background: YouTuber and Kick streamer Vitaly Zdorovetskiy and his crew use decoys who pose as minors online, then confront men who arrive for planned meetings while the encounters are livestreamed to an online audience. This week, two of those encounters in Delray Beach ended with arrests.
officers responded Sept. 20 to a Steak 'n Shake on West Linton Boulevard after Zdorovetskiy’s group confronted Che’viyante Marquise Hill.
Authorities said Hill had been communicating with someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl and arranged to meet at the restaurant. The probable cause affidavit shows officers separated Hill from members of the streaming group before conducting their own investigation.
An undercover officer reviewed the messages, confirmed the phone number involved and interviewed Hill, according to police. Officers also reported finding condoms and lubricant in Hill's bag.
Hill was taken into custody on felony charges of traveling to meet a minor for an unlawful S3x act and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
The available details are limited to the information verified at publication time. Readers should expect updates as the matter develops.
Any person identified in connection with an alleged offense is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: official sources including CBS12 News.
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